Reclamation & restoration

The reclamation work that will be carried out in order to restore an area so that it becomes a natural part of the surrounding landscape again is part of the process right from the start, when a mine is still at the planning stage. Reclamation and conservation are also an integral part of the day-to-day operations and are conducted in parallel with them.

Boliden has a direct reclamation responsibility for some 30 active and closed down mining areas and conducts a systematic programme of monitoring and risk analyses for every area. Boliden has a strategic plan that extends over at least ten years for the reclamation of a number of prioritised, decommissioned mining areas, with measures planned and funds allocated.

Boliden’s goal is to use the best possible technology and to combine this with continuous monitoring of the work carried out.

The specific area’s conditions, e.g. the nature of the waste, the area's appearance, infiltration, watercourses or groundwater levels are crucial in determining which method to use.

Some ongoing projects

Simonstown borrow pit

The Simonstown area near the Tara mine, for example, is currently being restored by planting a kilometre-long hedge. New hedgerow planting using native plants is part of the reclamation work at the Simonstown borrow pit. Overall the project will involve the re-establishment of 2,600 metres of hedgerows.

During the early stages of development the plants and shrubs must be protected from livestock and other animals, hence the wire fencing. Boliden works in partnership with a number of local authorities to make use of the sewage sludge from the municipal treatment works. Sewage sludge is a useful resource both in re-vegetation and in reclamation, primarily in that it fertilises the soil, retains moisture and protects against erosion. Boliden is also working in partnership with various universities to develop its reclamation methodology and a number of research projects are currently being carried out within the framework of our operations.

Maurliden

In Boliden's Maurliden Östra mining area, constant separation of moraine, runoff waste, waste rock and acid-generating rock has been introduced. Sorting and separation of waste rock also takes place in other Boliden Mines units. This not only results in reduced reclamation costs, but also for internal material for infrastructure purposes.